German Long Course Nationals: Yannick Lebherz Smashes German Record

BERLIN, Germany, June 24. THE first day of swimming at the German Long Course Nationals held in Berlin featured a national record from Yannick Lebherz.

Lebherz clocked a 4:14.63 in the men's 400 IM to cut a second-and-a-half from Patrick Kuhl's long-standing record of 4:16.08 set in Bonn in 1989. Lukasz Wojt finished second in 4:19.37, while Jan David Schepers placed third in 4:23.83.

In other finals action, Jaana Ehmcke won the women's 800 free in 8:40.03, while Sarah Kohler placed second in 8:43.08. Isabelle Harle wound up third in 8:43.23. Meanwhile, Theresa Michalak captured the women's 200 IM crown in 2:15.52 with Jessica Steiger (2:16.67) and Alexandra Wenk (2:17.68) completing the top three.

In preliminary heats, Helge Meeuw topped qualifying in the men's 100 back with a 53.31, while Daniela Samulski paced the women's 100 back in 1:01.05. Johannes Neumann touched first in men's 100 breast qualifying with a 1:00.68, while Caroline Ruhnau hit the wall ahead of Sarah Poewe, 1:08.74 to 1:08.90, for the women's 100 breast top seed.

Rafed El-Masri and Steffen Deibler tied for the top seed in the men's 50 free preliminary heats with matching 22.47s with Britta Steffen cruising in the women's 50 free with a swift 24.67.

Thomas Rupprath set himself up for a German record in finals with a 23.53 in the men's 50 fly in qualifying. That time fell just short of Rupprath's 23.46 from 2007. Samulski returned in the women's 50 fly with a top time of 26.61.

In relay action, Wojt, Stefano Razeto, Kai Heftrich and Meeuw won the men's 800 free relay in 7:25.74.

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